None of them will be representing science in the new parliament for
different reasons: respectively, being on the losing side; apparent
demotion, and having been unseated.

Science policy debate in Westminster seems to be in a state of suspended
animation because we've yet to see the new science spokespersons for
Labour or the Lib Dems.

The good news is that, after the initial doom and gloom, there has been
some positive news for scientists and engineers to reflect on. David
"two brains" Willetts was well-received as the new Conservative
minister for universities and science.

There is a big question mark over whether the Lib Dems will even appoint
one. They are now a party of government, so can't have a spokesman whose role
is to oppose the science minister.

But it would be surprising if they abandoned all MP-led policy
formulation for the duration of the coalition.

A compromise could be the formation of an informal grouping of backbench
MPs who scrutinise government and develop Lib Dem science policy
internally.

How high profile such a group would be remains to be seen - the party
will be wary of being seen to unnecessarily undermine the coalition.

And if the Lib Dems don't have a full spokesperson, that makes the role
of David Willetts' shadow minister in the Labour party even more vital.

The party has decreed that no peers will sit in its shadow cabinet, so
it's goodbye to Drayson, Mandelson and so on.

But Drayson's successor in the Commons has yet to be announced, even
though the members of the shadow Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
team have; and departmental structures will mean that the shadow
universities and science minister will have to be a member of that team.

One possibility is that Labour are biding their time. Andrew Miller and Graham Stringer, the two candidates for chair of the Science and Technology Committee, are
both Labour MPs. Perhaps whichever of them loses the election this
Wednesday might be rewarded with the shadow ministerial role instead.

To match the energy and intellect of Drayson, Afriyie and Harris, the
new parliament has to aim high. CaSE will be there to ensure it does.

Yet where is the opposition to ridiculous science. For years we have been hearing about Climate change, as if it is a truth handed down by God. Meanwhile governments use it as an excuse to increase taxes. Will it go the same way as the Millenium Bug or the Hole in the Ozone Layer. Can we have some real scientific debate please?

As an update to this, I've found out that rules of the Labour Party state that members of the shadow cabinet are voted for by Labour MPs at the Labour Conference in late September. For further details on the election of the shadow cabinet see the CaSE blog - http://blog.sciencecampaign.org.uk/?p=1622

Until then, Pat McFadden (Shadow BIS secretary) will be speaking for Labour on science and engineering issues.